NY Rangers 4 LA Kings 1 at Madison Square Garden

 

According to my records, I last attended a Rangers hockey game at Madison Square Garden in January 2006.  For several years when I worked at NJIT in Newark, I would meet Karen and Lee at the Prudential Center to see the New Jersey Devils.  The ticket price was quite high at $160, so I must limit my visits to the Garden.

The Rangers won 4-1 with goalie Jonathan Quick making 25 saves against his former team.  Most of the fans were young adults in their 20s or 30s who were quite enthusiastic about their team.  Many of the fans shown on the video screen were under 12 years old.  I assume their parents forked over the big bucks for their tickets.

I must make one negative comment about the evening.  Pictures of celebrities are shown during breaks in the action.  A large cheer erupted when former boxer Mike Tyson was shown.  I gave him a big boo and a thumbs down as he served jail time for rape. He abused many women in his life.  It is sad sometimes when athletes are admired when their personal lives leave something to be desired.

Game Recap

Is Any Athlete Worth $700 Million?

 

Finally, the speculation is over as Shoei Ohtani is signing a $700 Million over 10 years. It is believed to be the largest contract in worldwide sports history, surpassing soccer superstar Lionel Messi's $674 million deal with FC Barcelona from 2017-21. In baseball, it surpasses now-former teammate Mike Trout, who agreed to a 12-year, $426.5 million extension with the Angels in 2019.

Ohtani is unique is that he is a designated hitter and pitcher and has distinguished himself in both roles.  Let us take a look at the record for the Los Angeles since he joined the team in 2018.

Over the same time, the Dodgers have done quite well without Otani.  They made the post-season in all those years but only won the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Ten years is a very long time.  Since Othani just had Tommy John surgery, he cannot pitch until 2025.  Will he be able to be both a pitcher and hitter in the later years of the contract?  The skills of any athlete will erode as he/she ages.  Will the Dodgers have to eat the last years of the contract?  The Dodgers' attendance as been quite good over the past six years.

Will Ohtan's presence on the team draw more people?  How much more revenue will the team get?

Time will tell if this is a good investment for the Dodgers.

Another consequence will be that free agents in the future will demand more money.  

Give Peace a Chance - 1969 and Today

Today is the 43rd anniversary of the tragic murder of John Lennon.  I went to sleep at about 10:45 that night and didn't find out until the next morning.

What John sang in 1969 certainly applies today.  War is terrible when there are still hostages and fighting that results in civilian casualties.  I pray that that the conflict in the Middle East will end and there will be an everlasting peace in the region.

 

Random Thoughts of the Day December 6, 2023

Taylor Swift was name Time Magazine's Person of the Year.  Did she dominate the headlines this year?  I think the people at Time just didn't want to name anyone political this year as it would generate controversy.  In 1964 Lyndon Johnson was Time's Person of the Year, but didn't the Beatles  dominate the headlines more that year?

I still have crazy dreams about going back to the past.  Last night I dreamed about being at a singles dance.  They are now passe as dating apps have replaced dances as a means of getting dates.

The Mets have made a few minor roster moves so far.  It seems that there has not yet been major transactons as teams are waiting to see what happens with Otani and Yamamoto.  I think the Yankees should be careful about trading for Juan Soto as he can declare free agency after the 2024 season.  He turned down a contract for $440 Million over 15 years from the Washington Nationals.

 

This Article Frightens Me About What Could Happen if American Voters Don't Come to their Senses

 

Before you know it the primaries for the 2024 presidential election will begin.  I shudder when I see the polls on who is the front-runner for the Republican nomination. I hope all voters will read this article in the New York Times before they go to the polls in the primaries and general elections.  I am just afraid that democracy as we know it could end.  Will our government still have a system of checks and balances, or will we have a dictator?

2023 Queens Baseball Convention - a New York Mets Fanfest

 

Yours Truly at today's event

This event was held at the Sheraton Four Points Flushing, within walking distance of my apartment.  There were several panel discussions:

• State of the Mets with a discussion of the disappointing 2023 season followed by speculation on which free agents the Mets will acquire this offseason. This was pretty much the same as I have read on the various sports websites.  The consensus was that the Mets have a good chance of obtaining Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.  They feel that Steve Cohen will open his wallet for him
• Interview of relief pitcher Billy Wagner by NY1 reporter Roger Clark.  Billy pitched for the Mets from 2006-9 and is being considered for election to the Hall of Fame

• SNY Baseball Night in New York.  Several of the hosts, including Sal Licata speculated on the 2024 Mets season.

• Cliff Floyd who played for the Mets from 2003-2006 was interviewed by John Saponaro.  Much of the discussion covered the 2006 season when the Mets won the NL East, but lost the NLCS to the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Mrs. Joan Payson, the original owner of the Mets, was presented with the Gil Hodges Award.  Her great-grandson accepted the award on her behalf.
• Conner Rodgers and Joe DeMayo hosts of SNY's signature podcast Mets Pod continued the discussion of the state of the Mets.
• Former Mets manager Terry Collins was interviewed by WFAN host Lori Rubinson.  He discussed some of the decisions he made during his managerial career.

Terry mingled with some of his fans during the event

Lee met up with Sandy, the mascot of the Brooklyn Cyclones.  Mr. Met wasn't there this year.

Random Thoughts of the Day December 1, 2023

Better late than never as George Santos was finally expelled from the House of Representatives. IMHO the fact that he lied about his background and credentials to the voters of his district should have been enough to deny seating him last January.  The Republicans wanted to keep him as their majority in the House was razor thin.  There will soon be a special election in that district to fill that seat.  The 100+ Congressman who voted against expulsion should also be kicked out of Congress.  I expect the utmost integrity from all elected and appointed government officials.

It is sad that money controls who is elected to office.  A well-qualified person cannot attain an office if he/she cannot raise funds.  I would not give one penny to anyone running for office.  Speaking of fundraising, I have donated to several charities regularly.  These include cultural institutions, radio stations, medical organizations, and institutions providing food.  Once you donate, they hit you up for more money almost immediately by snail mail, email, and phone calls.